The Perks of Being a Runner

Most people hate running. In fact, almost everyone does. Sometimes, when I let slip that I'm a runner, the first question people ask me is why, and I understand. Running can be boring it's very tiring and frequently hard, but today I want to share with you why I'm a runner and why I recommend that you become one too. Firstly, running to be fit; that's the most obvious benefit and the reason most people lace up their shoes and head out the front door. It's beneficial to your health, it has a positive impact on your immune system, and it reduces the risk of suffering from illnesses, and if you're interested in losing weight, running is also a great place to start. Secondly, running is free. Forget about that expensive gym membership, all you need is a pair of shoes. Just think of the money you can save per month and the time, as well as the environmental impact. You can run straight from your front door, whereas if you go to the gym, you have to get in the car. You have the journey there and the emissions. Thirdly, running is a break. In the age of smartphones and screens, being constantly available, constantly working. So many people are verging on a burnout, and running is a great way of destressing and relaxing. Some might say running is boring, but I say it's just because we're used to doing something absolutely every second of every day. Sometimes being alone with your thoughts just listening to the pounding of your feet on the pavement can be a great way to empty your mind and to escape the clutter of the day. Fourthly, running is a social experience. It's not for nothing that running groups are springing up all over cities. Shops and gyms are handing out flyers forming groups, and you can also use apps to find a running partner. You can meet new people that you don't necessarily work with, and some of these even become fast friends for life. I'd also like to draw your attention to a great app that I use: Strava. This is a place or a platform where you can upload your own runs and give kudos to other people for their runs. It's a wonderful motivational tool, and it makes you feel like you're part of a community. Lastly, running makes you feel good. This might sound surprising, but it's true. Running releases endorphins in your body, which reduce tension, anxiety and even depression. The more you run, the better you feel, but of course, in moderation. I know many beginners who tend to sprint out their front door, head to the end of the road, come back completely exhausted and spent and feel terrible convinced that they'll never run again because it's just so horrible. If you head out at a leisurely jog, you'll find the endorphins come flooding in.